Become a Fan

January 20, 2007

Breaking the Codes

Well, I'm now reading the DaVinci Code, a couple of years after most readers. I received it for Christmas and I view it as light, recreational reading. Much of what I've read so far is set in Paris, so this is very familiar territory for me. As an aspiring writer of fiction, I'm also paying some attention to the craft aspects of this book, which does a good job of reeling the reader in, and then keeps increasing the stakes chapter by chapter. A couple of months back, the minister at my church weighed in big time on the theology in the book, pointing out its flaws. I'll reserve judgement until I've completed it, but of course I'm not reading the book for religious guidance. I have also not seen the movie and generally don't like to see a movie before reading the book.

The book has a pretty dark tone, which reminds me somewhat of the movie I saw over the holidays, The Good Shepard. The movie covers a period of about 20 years and covers fictionalized episodes about the CIA and its formation in the aftermath of World War II. It is also a pretty strong parable on the ability of raw power to corrupt even the best intentioned of people. I'd recommend this movie to viewers who enjoy a good drama and can accept some abiguity in their entertainments; there's loads of it in this movie.

Comments

Breaking the Codes

Well, I'm now reading the DaVinci Code, a couple of years after most readers. I received it for Christmas and I view it as light, recreational reading. Much of what I've read so far is set in Paris, so this is very familiar territory for me. As an aspiring writer of fiction, I'm also paying some attention to the craft aspects of this book, which does a good job of reeling the reader in, and then keeps increasing the stakes chapter by chapter. A couple of months back, the minister at my church weighed in big time on the theology in the book, pointing out its flaws. I'll reserve judgement until I've completed it, but of course I'm not reading the book for religious guidance. I have also not seen the movie and generally don't like to see a movie before reading the book.

The book has a pretty dark tone, which reminds me somewhat of the movie I saw over the holidays, The Good Shepard. The movie covers a period of about 20 years and covers fictionalized episodes about the CIA and its formation in the aftermath of World War II. It is also a pretty strong parable on the ability of raw power to corrupt even the best intentioned of people. I'd recommend this movie to viewers who enjoy a good drama and can accept some abiguity in their entertainments; there's loads of it in this movie.